*SMOKERS* Smoking Cessation drug Chantix. What was your experience?

[Lil Missy]

I was recently approved for a program to quit smoking, and received a 3 month supply of Chantix. I've heard a lot of good things about it and a lot of success stories. Like it is the Cadillac of smoking cessation drugs. However, I have been taking it for a week now, and I'm not feeling any less of an urge to smoke yet.

But they did tell me it might take 10 to 14 days to take effect, so I have not lost hope yet. I have set my target date to quit smoking later this week.

If you are or were a smoker and tried Chantix to quit, I would like to hear your experience. For the record, I have been smoking most of the last 35 years, if that makes a difference. I did quit cold turkey for a couple years about 20 years ago, but unfortunately took it up again.

I'd like to get this monkey off my back now. I am not asking for medical advice either, I already have plenty of that. I am only asking for experiences from those that have been in a similar situation.

[darkstar]

1. I thought you were going to ask about that news story

from the last few days.

I don't mean to discourage you, but the radio news covered apparent links to depression/suicide.

OK. Found it:

Quit-Smoking Drug May Raise Suicide Risk
02.01.08, 12:00 AM ET

FRIDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) -- There's increasing evidence that the smoking-cessation drug Chantix is linked to serious "neuropsychiatric" side effects, including agitation, depressed mood and even suicide, U.S. health officials said Friday.
http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2008/02/01/hscout612336.html

[triguy46]

2. Chantix is an SSRI, and there is some slight risk of increased suicides...

the same warnings are being included on other SSRIs like zoloft, etc. In our clinic, we are having around 60% success rate at 3 months. Like other SSRIs, it does take a few weeks to 'work.'

[Lil Missy]

4. A friend of mine did tell me about that news report, because she knows I'm very prone to depression,

and I take antidepressants. So I did discuss that with the Dr who got me on this program, and she said that was a very rare side effect. This program includes free 2 week follow ups, and she said we could monitor that as we go along. But that the benefits for me outweigh the rare possibility of side effects right now.

Thank you for responding.

[hippywife]

11. Is this doctor

your doctor or just one who got you on the program? If the latter, please discuss this with your doctor. :hi:

[Lil Missy]

16. This is my regular GP.

It's a clinic that treats uninsured people on a sliding scale, so that is how I qualified for this program when she got new Grant money for Smoking Cessation. I also have COPD, thus bouts several bouts with pneumonia, bronchitis, and laryngitis several times a year.

[Sugar Smack]

3. You should go into GD and ask seybeyond.

She is a firm believer in the drug. She'll give you any advice you're looking for. :)

[Lil Missy]

5. Should I cross post this in GD? It didn't occur to me to ask there, but maybe I will.

Usually, that place just scares me. :scared: So many innocent and innocuous comments can turn into a flame war!

on edit: Okay, I did. And now I need a smoke!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2813716

[Sugar Smack]

6. Please don't worry.

Just about every single person in that forum means well. You're going to have a LOT of support. I promise. :hug:

[Lil Missy]

9. Thanks. I hope you are right. n/t

[Madrone]

7. I've used the other drug - Zyban (Wellburtrin)

So while I can't tell you about chantix, I CAN tell you that if it's anything like Zyban it does take awhile before you notice a difference. In fact, I've done it a few times, and each time I started again it seemed to take even longer. UNTIL the last time - then it seemed to go quickly. Anyway, I'm on week 4, 1 day smoke free right now. That's without so much as a stolen drag from someone else's cigarette - which is kind of my usual MO. Thankfully this time I've not been around anyone that smokes so no temptation.

Anyway - for me it wasn't a dramatic thing - it's more like a gradual tapering off. Like all of a sudden you notice you're not even THINKING about smoking anymore. I also cheated and never set a quit date. I'd smoke as long as I wanted to, until the day came that I ran out of smokes and decided I really didn't WANT one - so never went to the store for more.

Not sure how it works with Chantix - but I'd imagine they're not totally dissimilar.

[Lil Missy]

8. That's encouraging to hear.

I am not necessarily in a rush, and 4 weeks is not much time considering how long I have been a smoker. I would just like to know I am not wasting my time and getting my hopes up for nothing.

Thank you for your response. And good luck!

[tammywammy]

10. Easiest quit ever

I only took it for 2-1/2 weeks. I had the nausea side effect and it was too much. Remember to take it with a full glass of water.

I stayed smoke free for 3 months, until I was going through some horrible stress and I started up again. It's not covered by my insurance otherwise I'd get on it again.

[Lil Missy]

13. I am not having any side effects with nausea.

And I did not get any advise to take it with a glass of water. Someone else also mentioned orange juice. But I do that anyway so that's not a problem.

I am not in a big rush, so 2 1/2 weeks with success is very encouraging to me. I've only been taking it for a week.

[tammywammy]

14. After taking it a few days almost a week

I just didn't have the need to smoke as much. I just quit on my scheduled day. I had a few extra peppermints (my candy of choice) and it was super easy. If I could have I would have liked to go at least a month with it.

If I could afford it again, I would totally do it again. I'm going to try the Commit lozenges for my next quit.


Good luck!

[Lil Missy]

18. So, you went back to smoking?

Did I understand you correctly that you took the Chantix for a week? Quit smoking, and then went back to smoking?

[lizerdbits]

12. It was great for me

I had some nausea and trouble falling asleep but I dealt with it temporarily so I could quit. I noticed I was smoking less on the 7th day even though I wasn't quitting that day. I smoked for about 17 years and tried just about everything before that.

Best of luck! :)

ETA: Unlike my previous quits I didn't have the urge to kill people or sleep 11 hours a day.

[Lil Missy]

15. I AM having trouble sleeping this week. Maybe that is why.

I am feeling more withdrawn and tired, but fortunately not feeling like killing people! LOL. But I know what you mean. ;-)

[underpants]

17. My brother is on it and it works for him

:shrug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. My father's girlfriend was on it for about two weeks and had

a bit of a problem with depression. She chose to stop and is looking into laser. I would be wary as there is an increased risk of suicide it appears, from recent studies.

[Lil Missy]

20. I have heard about those side effects and discussed them with my Dr.

I also have a history of major depression for myself and take antidepressants, and a history of suicide in my family. So we are watching that very closely right now.

BTW, MrsGrumpy, Laura. I care and think about you A LOT these days. I have been there too.

edit: because I hit Post instead of Spell Check before I was finished.

[Lil Missy]

21. Thanks for the input and encouragement.

Is one of the side effect being really tired? Cuz I am really tired and have to go to bed now.

Nite

[crispini]

22. Please do not drink any alcohol while taking this drug.

Google "Carter Albrecht" if you want to know the whole story. :(

FWIW, my mother was able to quit -- 20 years -- through acupuncture. Good luck!

Edit: I went cold turkey myself, so can't be much help there. I did quit three times before the last one "took," though. If at first you don't succeed...

[Lil Missy]

23. Why no alcohol? I do enjoy my occasional cocktails. Does that make a difference? n/t

[crispini]

24. I'm pretty sure it's one of those things they tell you not to do while taking it,

and if it's not, they should.

Local tragedy linked to this drug:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=3623085&page=1

We all miss this guy. :(

[Lil Missy]

25. Very sad story.

I have been warned about the possibility of vivid dreams, but I have not experienced that so far.

[hisownpetard]

26. Worked for me! Haven't had a cigarette in 16 months.

Chantix doesn't have any nicotine in it. What it does is block the receptors in your brain that tell you
that you want nicotine.

You start taking it a week before you intend to quit - and you can continue smoking for that week, while the drug gradually
builds up in your system.

You're supposed to take one pill in the am and one in the pm. I found, however, that it was too much for me, so I actually just took the one
in the am and never took the ones at night. Therefore, I could continue taking the am ones for twice as long, without renewing the Rx.

If you quit cold turkey once for a couple of years, I think it's very probable that you'd be successful again.

Good luck - and please feel free to ask me any questions you have. I'd be happy to answer.

[Lil Missy]

27. I haven't had any side effects from the drug and I'm taking two a day.

But it has been a week now and I am smoking like a chimney tonight. I'm going to give it another week.

[hisownpetard]

28. That's normal - smoking your lungs out 'cause you know it's coming to an end, right?

I did the same thing, but then on the day I was supposed to stop, I did.
I bought a lot of Necco wafers - just something to put in my mouth every time I wanted a cigarette.
I thought, "Well, this is great. I'll stop smoking but I'll lose all my teeth in the bargain."

That phase only last a couple weeks. Still have my choppers, haven't smoked in a l-o-o-o-n-g time.